Boston-area to do list

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PICK OF THE DAY

Pirates of silliness

Productions by The Hypocrites are not true to the troupe’s name because the Chicago thespians strictly adhere to their mission of irreverence and hilarity. The American Repertory Theater presents this new adaptation of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic “Pirates of Penzance” with bathing beauties, pirates who philosophize, and a banjo-playing Mabel. See what’s cooking with Frederic and his freedom. 7:30 p.m. (through June 2). $25 and up. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-547-8300. www.americanrepertorytheater.org

THURSDAY

With friends like these Antonio Salieri was not a nice man. The classical composer was so jealous of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that he pretended to befriend him in order to destroy him and his musical legacy. The New Repertory Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony-winning “Amadeus” stars Benjamin Evett and Tim Spears. 7:30 p.m. (through May 26). $28-$58 (discounts available). Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. 617-923-8487. www.newrep.org

Modern family Lisa Loomer’s comedy questions whether people or our society have Attention Deficit Disorder. Underground Railway Theater presents “Distracted,” a story about a boy who can’t sit still and the mother who loves him. 7:30 p.m. (through June 2; contains profanity). $15 and up (discounts available). Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 866-811-4111. www.centralsquaretheater.org

Beyond the surface
The 25 species of mountain wildflowers and alpine perennials on view at “Tiny Taxonomy: Alpinum” have an “essential intelligence” of being able to adapt by growing very small, settling low to the ground, and spreading laterally.
Thursday hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (through Sept. 2). $15, $12 seniors, $5 college students, free under 18, military and their families, those named Isabella. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 the Fenway, Boston. 617-566-1401. www.gardnermuseum.org

FRIDAY

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Local suds For more than 25 years, the Harpoon Brewery has spread beer and cheer all over the Northeast. Boston-brewed beers at HarpoonFest
include IPA, Summer Beer, and UFO White. Joining the local brew are local bands Township, Jenny Dee & the Delinquents, Evolfo Doofeht, and more. May 17 5:30-11 p.m. (doors close 9:30 p.m.), May 18 2-9 p.m. (doors close 7:30 p.m.) $20 (includes one drink and souvenir cup). 21+. Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston. 888-427-7666. www.harpoonbrewery.com

SATURDAY

Stars of the day If only the creatures from that galaxy far, far away could do something about the end-of-year closing of the Higgins Armory Museum. Alas, at least there’s Saturday’s “Star Wars Day,” when you can dress like your favorite character and hobnob with Stormtroopers. May 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 ages 4-16. Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave., Worcester. 508-853-6015. www.higgins.org